EXPLAINER: Can war massacres sway China's support for Russia

China has called reports of civilian killings in Ukraine disturbing and urged further investigations, even while declining to blame Russia

BEIJING -- China has described reports and images of civilian killings in Ukraine as disturbing, and urged that they be further investigated, even while declining to blame Russia. That's drawn questions about the resiliency of Beijing’s support for Moscow, but speculation that it is weakening appears to be misplaced.

Here’s a deeper look at where China stands at this stage of the conflict:

IS CHINA SERIOUS ABOUT PROBING ATROCITIES?

In his statement Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian referred to reports of atrocities in the town of Bucha, saying, “The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified." He said that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid “unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation.”